From the days of their Big East battles at Madison Square Garden to the Dream Team in Barcelona, Chris Mullin and Patrick Ewing have plenty of basketball history.
The two Hall of Famers chatted for the newest episode of “Dubs Talk” which will be released following Tuesday’s matchup between the Warriors and New York Knicks. Fans can see a preview of the interview on “Warriors Pregame Live,” which begins at 3:30 p.m. PT on NBC Sports Bay Area.
Mullin made sure to get Ewing’s take on the No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman, a center with immense potential. Perhaps it’s no surprise that Ewing, who was a bruising traditional big man, wants to see Wiseman stick in the paint.
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“I see him stepping out and hitting the three,” Ewing told Mullin. “For me, for him to be great, he has to continue to work at his game, continue to work at his craft and just don’t fall in love with the three.”
Wiseman is expected to return to the Warriors on Tuesday along with Kevon Looney, who is expected to start at center. The rookie had shown some crafty moves before going down with this wrist injury that caused him to miss 11 games.
Ewing realizes that the game has evolved, and centers who can hit a 3-pointer are becoming more common. Wiseman is shooting 40.9 percent (9-for-22) from beyond the arc this year while shooting 50.3 percent from the field.
“He has to know when to shoot the three or when to post up,” Ewing said. “I think that’s the biggest thing bigs in this era have to learn. Inside out.”
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Mullin referred to Wiseman as an “athletic, David Robinson-type,” referring to a fellow Dream Teamer who had smooth post moves. But Wiseman definitely has a smooth stroke for a big man, and the Dubs wouldn’t be the Dubs without 3-point shooting.
Then again, Ewing is Ewing.
“He’s young, he’s athletic,” Ewing said. “Right now they need him to play defense, block shots, use his athleticism.”